Manager Roeder knows his team have failings in defence

The Magpies are 11th in the Premiership and their Uefa Cup hopes ended at AZ Alkmaar, while they suffered early exits in the FA Cup and Carling Cup.

"No-one else, with what's happened here and the injuries we've had for six months now, would have done any better," Roeder told The People.

"I am not living on Fantasy Island or cloud cuckoo land."

Michael Owen has been unavailable to Roeder after the England striker suffered a knee injury at the 2006 World Cup.

I have to make sure we recruit well this summer because that's what I'll ultimately be judged on next season Glenn Roeder

The Newcastle boss says that has hampered his job, along with other key injuries, to a huge degree.

"We have had the worst injury crisis in the club's history and in any other club's history," he said.

"We have had a dozen players out for six months. I have never been able to put Michael Owen's name on to a team-sheet to start.

"I have had him once as a sub. You are talking about a world-class footballer who is unavailable."

Roeder has already indicated he is set to make changes to the personnel during the summer and believes that will be what determines his future.

"I don't feel under pressure. I'm here for the long haul," he added.

"Players are the key, no matter what managers with big egos think, and recruitment is the toughest part of my job.

"I know I can coach but I have to make sure we recruit well this summer because that's what I'll ultimately be judged on next season."